Placer mining machine



Aug, 23, W46. w. THOMAS V .PLACER MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 194% W. THOMAS 2,405,622.

PLACER MINING MACHINE Aug, 33, 1946. w. THOMAS PLACER MINI N6 MACHINE 4 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 29, 1944 W. Thomas Aug. 33, 346; w. THOMAS PLACER- MINING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 13,1946

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in mining machines and. more particularly to a portable placer mining machine.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a mining machine whereon the sluice box is adj ustably mounted so that it may be swung to any position in order that tailings may be directed away from an adjacent stream or other body of water, as the dumping of tailings in natural waters is forbidden by law in most states.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a portable placer mining machine which can be used to treat material delivered to the machine or as a digger for digging into banks or other raises of earth which might be considered as pay dirt.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated wherein the parts operate coordinately and in a positive acting and foolproof manner; p

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which can be readily adjusted in order that its various operating parts may be set to accommodate the conditions of the terrain.

Various other important objects and advantages of the invention shall become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the machine showing the sluice box directed forwardly of the digger.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the machine.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view showing the sluice box and adjustable support therefor.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the strainer end of the water induction hose.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that the machine includes a truck made up of a wheel supported platform 5, the platform 5 being supported by wheels 6. This truck is driven by a motor and behind the motor is a cab l for the driver when the machine is being moved from one place to another.

Mounted on the platform 5 is a power plant 8 for driving a pump 9 by way of a belt Ill, and a displacement of the sluice box I 5.

digger generally referred to by numeral 1 I, by way of a drive chain I 2.

Numeral l3 denotes a post rising from the platform 5 and swivelly mounted at the upper end of this post l3, as at M, is the inner end of an elonated inclined sluice box l5.

Along the bottom of the sluice box l5 are mineral catching ripples l6 and the lower end of this box I5 is opened to permit the discharge of tailings.

When the sluice box I5 is, swung laterally, a support generally referred to by numeral I! is employed for supporting the outer end portion. This support consists of a pair of upwardly disposed and slightly converging posts l8, l8 braced by horizontal members I9, 23 and 2 I. Cross members 22 are also provided for further bracing the support.

The horizontal member 2! at the upper end of the support is situated somewhat below the upper ends of the posts l8, 88 so as to utilize the upper ends of the posts l8, l8 as guards for preventing (See Figure 5.) On the cab l is a support for the sluice box 55 when the sluice box is disposed over the cab This cab atin the manner shown in Figure 1. tached support consists of an elongated plate 23 having one end portion disposed upwardly and outwardly to form a sluice box rest 24 and then flanged upwardly as at 25 to serve as a guard to prevent displacement of the sluice box.

The other end of the bar 23 is bent upwardly and laterally as at 26 to define a rest and horiber 21 firmly secured in an adjusted position by a bolt 28 and nut 29. (See Figure 6.)

Assuming th machine is being used beside a stream or body of water 30, a tube 3| extending from the intake side of the pump 9 can be lowered into the bodyof water 30 and it is preferable that this tube 3| has a strainer head 32.

On the outlet side of the pump 9 a hose 33 extends to connect to a nipple 34 projecting through one side wall of the sluice box IE at the upper end thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

The digger I I consists of a frame 35 having a shaft 36 horizontally disposed through its upper portion and a shaft 31 horizontally disposed through its lower portion. On these shafts 36, 31 are sprocket wheels 38, 39 respectively over which are trained endless chains all and bridging these chains 40 are scoops ll, each provided with digging teeth 42. (See Figure 4.)

The upper end of the digger ll terminates over the upper end of the sluice box l5 as is shown in Figure 1.

A bar 43 is pivotally connected at its upper end as at 44 to the frame 35 and its lower end is adjustably disposed in a tube 45, which in turn is pivotally secured as at 46 to the platform 5. Of course, this support 43, 45 may be a hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly if desired.

Figure 2 discloses that a prop 41 is interposed between the platform 5 and the intermediate portion of the sluice box IE to assist in supporting the same.

In the operation of the machine, it can be seen that the sluice box l5 may be used in the position shown in Figure 1, that is disposed over the cab l or moved laterally to the position shown in Figure 3. The principal purpose in having the sluice box IE swingable is so that the tailings discharged therefrom can be directed to a point other than into a stream or body of Water adjacent the diggings. The dumping of tailings into streams or other natural bodies of water is pro hibited by law in most states.

When the sluice box I5 is disposed over the cab 1 it is supported by the supporting bar 23, which of course can be adjusted as above explained and as is apparent in Figure 6 to take care of the width of the box.

When the sluice box I5 is moved to a lateral position and does not have the benefit of the supporting bar 23 on the cab 1, the auxiliary support ll may be utilized for supporting the sluice box in the proper inclined position.

Obviously as the earth is elevated by the digger l l to the upper end of the sluice box 15, the pump 9 is operating, in as much as the power plant 8 drives both the digger H and the pump 9 and in this Way water is supplied to the earth as it reaches the box 15 and is washed by the water down the sluice box and over the ripples l6 which serve to catch the heavy particles which ordinarily would be minerals.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is as new is:

1. A mining machine of the character described comprising a platform, a swingable sluice box supported on the platform and a digger on the platform for digging and elevating earth to the sluice box, said platform being provided with wheels supporting the same, a truck cab mounted on the platform and a support on the cab for the sluice box when positioned in a forward direction.

2. A mining machine of the character described comprising a platform, a swingable sluice box supported on the platform and a digger on the platform for digging and elevating earth to the sluice box, said platform being provided with wheels supporting the same, a truck cab mounted on the platform and a support on the cab for the sluice box when positioned in a forward direction, and an upright support for supporting the sluice boxwhen disposed in a lateral position.

' 3. A mining machine comprising a wheeled bed claimed assembly, propulsion means for the assembly, a

super structure on the assembly, upright rest units on the super structure between which and upon which a sluice box may rest, a support on the support and being the bed, a sluice box supported at one end by rotatably mounted thereon, an intermediate portion of the sluice box being adapted to rest upon the units on the super structure when disposed longitudinally of the bed, means for raising material to the supported end of the sluice box, and a water supply for said box.

WILLIAM THOMAS. 

